LONDON, Nov 30: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif would be in London as soon as he got the British visa, president of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Shahbaz Sharif told Dawn here on Wednesday.

He rejected speculations that delay in the visa was caused by a request from the government of Pakistan to the British government to seek certain ‘guarantees’ from Mr Sharif and his family.

“There is nothing of that sort. They (Nawaz Sharif and family) would be here as soon as they get the visa,” said Shahbaz Sharif.

On being asked if the government had sought any ‘concessions’ from the Sharifs before allowing them to proceed to the UK, he said he was not aware of “anything of that sort”.

It is learnt that the visa application of the former prime minister was referred to the British government by the embassy in Saudi Arabia because of its political implications.

A spokesperson of the British foreign office declined to comment when asked if the UK mission in Saudi Arabia had referred the visa case to London.

When asked if Pakistan had requested the British government to seek certain guarantees about political activities from the Sharif family, the spokesperson said: “We cannot offer comments on individual cases due to policy of privacy and data protection.”

Family sources did not give any definite date about Mr Sharif’s departure from Saudi Arabia. However, party sources said preparations were being made to give him a ‘proper welcome’ on his arrival here in a few days.

Sources close to Benazir Bhutto and Mr Sharif told Dawn that the two leaders would meet in London to discuss the political situation in the country. The exact date would be decided once Mr Sharif moved out of Saudi Arabia, said the sources.